Stop calling me a Liar: Dr. Bawumia Hits Back at Critics, Defends His Vision for Ghana

Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has responded to critics who have labelled him a liar.

Dr Bawumia who is on a mission to Break the eight-year cycle of rule by any government since Ghana started multiparty democracy drew a sharp comparison to accusations faced by others in public office.

Addressing the issue head-on during a media engagement in Accra on Sunday, he said, "I think Ebo Quansah mentioned people calling me a liar, and I thought to myself, at least I'm not being called a murderer, as my boss was, or a drug dealer, or even 'Government Official One.'"

Read also: Mahama won’t debate Bawumia because ‘he’s a liar’ – Asiedu Nketia

The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, in a recent interview with Joy News, said the party's flagbearer, John Mahama, will not engage in a presidential debate with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

General Mosquito as he is popularly called explained that it is because it would be a "completely worthless exercise."

Speaking on Joy News' PM Express, Asiedu Nketia explained that the NDC's stance is based on the principle of not debating someone who lacks credibility.

"If you have watched me throughout my political life, there are two people I don’t debate. My guiding principles are two: Don't debate an idiot and don't debate a liar. So, any of these two who tempt me for any debate, I ignore them," he stated.

He further clarified his position by saying, "I am not saying the two must fit one person, but when you look at the two categorisations, you see that he [Dr. Bawumia] is a liar. That is something nobody can contest. I'm not too sure whether he's an idiot, but at least I'm sure he's a liar."

My vision for Ghana

Dr. Bawumia then shifted the conversation to his vision for Ghana, explaining why such accusations may arise.

He expressed his unwavering belief in Ghana’s potential to match the achievements of developed nations.

"Fundamentally, I believe that Ghana can do exactly what is happening in the developed world, in the advanced countries. I believe it is possible for us to leapfrog technology, and for us to do this, we must have this mindset of possibilities," he stated.

He criticised the mindset of timidity that he believes has held the country back, urging Ghanaians not to shy away from ambitious initiatives.

"We are always timid in trying to do things that are not even done in the advanced countries. We think, because it has not been done in the advanced countries, we shouldn't even try, but we can leapfrog them in many areas," he added.

Dr. Bawumia’s comments underscore his commitment to innovative thinking and his belief in Ghana's potential to achieve greatness on the global stage, despite the challenges and criticisms he faces.